Also, I was curious as to when you guys/gals started incoporating the spider guard into your game?
I've allready found that it's improved my game.
I suppose the questions are better answered by the more experienced but I would love to hear from the beginners as well. Perhaps you trained against someone who uses it well..? If so, how did you feel defending it or getting around it?
Here again, I do not personally use the spider guard. Most of my training was centered around an MMA style competition, so the spider guard is not nearly as prevalent. With the spider guard you need a LOT of wrist control, and that is much easier to achieve if your opponent is wearing a gi. Some people have made an art form out of it, however-- and they are incredible to watch. I just don't suggest doing it while your opponent is allowed to strike.
I just started incorperating the spider gaurd into my game. I am not to big on keeping a closed gaurd so I find the spider gaurd gives me a lot of control. So far, I have been hitting a cool sweep from there and am working on a triangle.
I have never used the spider guard, I've never trained gi, just no-gi and am going to start MMA in a few months! Can you get the spider guard without the gi? It seems like it'd be pretty hard.
Personally (and take this for what it's worth), I think that the spider guard has very little use in submission grappling and MMA. I rarely train in a gi, and I think that the spider guard relies heavily on the handles that the gi provides.
That being said- if you are interested in true BJJ, then having a dangerous spider guard can only help your game. If I trained more in a gi, I would look more into it.
Can you get the spider guard without the gi? It seems like it'd be pretty hard.
